FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED SUBJECT FILE Parks New York, N. Y. Morningside 1878 Riverside & Granto Tomb 1873-51 On the 3, Mch, 1873. On the 2 the [On the _31__Mch___ 1873___ I presented the Board their Commissions of Parks then in office with] [results] a preliminary report on the plan of Riverside Park was made to the Comms of Parks then in office in which for reasons given [from I re-] it was recommended that legislation should be surgted which would allen [the Curve] [plan of the a plan for] and [of] the Park [to be inter locked] [amalguinated. in] -assigned to the Avenue to be combined with that for the park. [Mr Burns all opens the] a new plan for the treatment of the territory [to be interwoven]. [suggestion] The Commissioners approved the suggestion but as it in rotird an encroachment as the field of duty of the [Gipustrual] Commission of Public of Works directed that he should be consulted. After conference with him a bill was prepared designed, [for the purpose in view so far he was disposed to consent] [so far as his consent could be obtained] to accomplish the ob'ct in view, which with his consent was laid before the legislature and afterwards became a law. On the 30 Oct 1873 [I made] a verbal re[port] [to open board] but was made to the new Board of the Dept of Parks [upon the ground] which had command to discuss the subject on the site of Riverside Park, [in which I presented the leading idea of a plan of the plan how to used to be prepared I proposed under of a plan formed in accordance with the intention of the Act. instructions to prepare. This idea being was laid before them. This idea being approved plans have since approved. I have since supported plans being [prepared] matured for the [barren] Southern part of the Park and Avenue in which work is now proceeding. for and plans for other parts have been in preparation. a part of this park and Avenue in which no important change in the course orin which the leading idea of a plan formed in accordance with the intention of the act was presented [laid out] [for them]. This idea being approved [plans for different] [parts of the] the plan has since been advanced in different parts. A plan covering so much of the ground as lies between 72d Street and 79th Street [has been adopted by the Board and] was laid before the Board and in the - 1872 adopted, a copy of this plan was transmitted in accordance with the requirements of the Act to the Department of Works, and work in accordance with it has [this Plan has been in] [progress] since been and is now in progress. A plan [to] covering so much of the ground as lies between 87th and 120th Streets is now ready. This plan sets aside [the theory of use] [The adoption of the plan for this district [would of the ground] a theory of arrangement under which the city originally acquired the ground in question and with regard to which private property adjoining it has been bought and sold and assessed. For this reason and also because it has been suggested to me there are technical objections to proceedings under the act of last winter and the Board may therefore possibly be required to proceed [unless further legislation is had] under the original law, it has been thought best to me [*Such a change of plan would be unjust unless it should conclusively appear that the interests of these property holders as well as of the city at large would be advanced by it and [ all reasonable opportunity for] by desirable advantage for a thorough consideration of the question should if possible be used before it is consummated.*][the Board may yet be re- the action of the last two years may this act may yet overruled another Board required to proceed under the original law, I have thought it best to] prepare two plans for laying out the ground from 97th to 120th Sts, one, plan A, adapted to the [view] [original] conditions originally fixed; the other, plan B, with the [greater freedom freedom allowed by the law] greater freedom which the act of last winter was intended to secure. [The principal] II The proposed departure from the original intention would be chiefly on the [changes desired are occur on would] ground between 100th Street and 113th and be made on this ground and both the advantages and disadvantages of the ori both of both [both] the original arrangement and of the later proposition are fully illustrated by the two plans] the two plans with the supplementations to be given in this report will aid [to] those disposed to study the question to understand [the] [both the and] the advantages and the disadvantages both of the original arrangement and of [the later propos] that later projected [proposed to be adopted. which the principal object of the present report is to aid to a [make a] fair comparison between the two plans and to [show the] exhibit the motives of those recommend for your adoption. [motives by which the]]Document No. 50 Board of the Department of Public Parks. October 11, 1873. The Landscape Architect submitted a preliminary study of a design for the laying out of Morningside Park, together with a report and an estimate of the cost of carrying same into effect. The report and estimate were ordered to be printed as a document of the Board, accompanied with photo-lithographs of the plan presented therewith. Wm. Irwin, Secretary D.P.P.2 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PARKS. } OFFICE OF DESIGN AND SUPERINTENDENCE, NEW YORK, 11th October, 1873. To the Hon SALEM H. WALES, President of the Board: SIR:-- I have the honor to present a preliminary report on the improvement of Morningside Park. The city property which has received this designation is a strip of steep hill-side, equal in length to the distance from the Battery to the city Hall, or about three-quarters of a mile; its width for the most part is less than that of the planted part o Union Square (100 yards). The only surfaces within it, not steeply inclined, are in two small patches lying widely apart, against the northeast and southeast corners respectively; most of the remainder being precipitous hill side, formed by the rounded face of a ledge of gneiss, difficult unsafe, and in parts, impracticable to travel over. At one point only a break of this ledge occurs about three hundred feet in length, and here the slope is sufficiently gentle to allow the hill to be mounted with moderate directness. The difference of elevation between the west and the east sides is a little less than one hundred feet, and the western boundary is to be a public highway carried at a still higher level and generally supported by a nearly vertical stone wall, which, at some points, is thirty feet in height. There will, consequently, be no view from the Park to the westward, and from the accessible parts the view to the eastward will be cut off whenever the adjoining valuable private lands shall be built upon. In studying the practical public uses for which ground of this kind is available, they will be found unusually limited. The city is still deficient in many provisions which unquestionably will soon be urged upon it by advancing civilization; such as already exist in the principal towns of Europe, and for which considerable spaces of open ground are necessary. New 3 York, for example, has no ground for the athletic exercises of young men, the open spaces of the Central park not being suitable for this purpose, and being already devoted to the athletic education of the children of the city, for whose use they will eventually prove much too small -- no grand promenade, the Central Park roads and walks being designed for rural and not for urban recreation. It has no proper market places, no fair grounds nor places adapted to the display of fireworks or other exhibitions. Within four miles of Morningside Park there is no ground suitable to exercises in arms, civic receptions, or any great public ceremonies. There is no ground in the city or its suburbs adapted to special education in general botanical science, arboriculture, horticulture, pharmacy or zoology, nor have any of the thirty-five reservations, large and small, termed parks, in new York and Brooklyn, been selected for or devoted to any of these purposes. Unfortunately Morningside Park but adds another public ground chosen without the slightest reference to any of these special requirements of the city, and happens to be singularly incapable of being adapted to them. Having the Central Park on one side, Mr. Morris on another, Riverside on the third, the most distant being but a thousand yards away and the nearest less than two hundred, there is no part of the city in which there is less occasion for another ground adapted simply to the airing of young children, and to general strolling and lounging of the residents of the neighborhood, and should its plan have no other very evident motive, it would be hard to justify the maintenance of any public park in this situation at the general expense of the city. Studying the ground in search of opportunities for serving larger interests,, a series of circumstances are to be observed, as follows: First. -- Although no distant or expanded view can be controlled within the limits of the Park itself, from the public highway which overhangs it on the west, as before described, a prospect will be had (above the house-tops of that quarter of 4 the town now growing on the Harlem plain) far out across a wide range of beautiful country, and over the waters and islands of the river and sound, the eastern sea-gate of the metropolis. It is not from one point alone, but from all parts of the road, that this fine view may be enjoyed. It is only to be regretted that the advantage which it thus possesses had not been recognized in laying out the new highway, and more importance given to it by an increased breadth. Even as it stands, however, there is ample space for several thousand persons to make use of it at a time while moving in carriages or on foot, and with proper management, it may be made a public resort of no small importance in the general system of grounds for the healthful recreation of the city. Taking this terrace road in connection with the ground below it, the latter will be found to serve a very important purpose, for had it remained private property, it would in time unquestionably have been used in such a manner as to utterly destroy the special advantage to the public of the highway. This consideration will be found to have an essential bearing on the question of the laying out of the ground, for if those portions of it lying immediately below the terrace road should be planted as in conventional landscape gardening, the view would be as entirely cut off in a few years by lofty trees as if the ground were covered with tall buildings. Second.--The break in the general face of the ledge, before referred to, presents a position considerably elevated above, yet easily approached from the lower side of the Park. A retaining wall of moderate extent, connecting the two opposite piers of rock, would here make practicable an esplanade or level space 500 feet long and over 100 feet deep, which might be turned to account in various ways. It would, for example, form a fine site for any structure of such moderate elevation, that it would present no obstruction to the view from the terrace road above. The introduction of an artificial feature of this character, with the suitable decoration of the retaining 5 wall and staircases ascending it, would enhance, by contrast, the effect of the natural bold and rugged elements of the Park. Third.--The natural conditions of the Morningside site are of a similar character, but rather inferior in interest to those of the northern portion of the Central Park. The two being not three minutes walk apart, for many years to come the greater number of visitors will probably reach it by way of the Central Park. It is desirable, then, as a matter of art, that Morningside Park should be, if possible, so treated as to contrast with the nearer parts of Central Park, and not produce the effect of a small and weak pendant of the older and more important ground. It is particularly desirable that the southeast angle should offer a direct and inviting entrance upon a scene strikingly interesting in character. The topographical conditions just here are, as it happens, unusual. With the construction of the necessary embankments of the street and avenue, a considerable basin will be formed of a generally triangular outline, two sides being steeply sloping; the third, a natural and quite picturesque cliff of rock, which is a prominent object in approaching from the direction of the Central Park. The earth at its base is light and easy of excavation, and in the process of grading in the vicinity, will be needed as material of embankment. The ground rises behind the rock on the north and west, and it will thus be seen that an area can here be formed about two acres in extent, which would be remarkably well protected from winds. The local conditions indicated offer advantages such as are possessed nowhere else by the city for either of two purposes: It is, namely, admirably suited to a small enclosure in which some of the tamer tropical animals could be allowed to graze, and in which suitable accommodations for lodging them throughout the year could be placed, or to a special garden for the display of what are known as sub-tropical plants. The latter is probably the simpler and more immediately attractive suggestion. With respect to an entrance at this point, there are some special difficulties to be met. The sidewalk of the street, will be6 20 feet above the adjoining surface of the park, and from the angle the street grade descends rapidly to the north, and ascends to the west. Under these circumstances, an architectural construction of an original character is desirable to supply such an entrance as is required. Fourth.--Although there are rocky points on the Central Park more interesting perhaps than any that can here be found, by a moderate excavation of the alluvial deposit along the base of the steep rocks between the line of 116th and 120th streets, a walk may be obtained, which, with skillful management of the materials at hand, may present a greater continuity of picturesque rocky border than an equal distance of walk on any other park possessed by the city. Fifth.--Near the northwest end, the whole breadth of the park is occupied by masses of rock, like a craggy mountain side. There is no soil for the support of large trees, but the conditions are well fitted for the advantageous display of the very interesting forms of vegetation technically termed Alpine plants. Sixth.--Argument is hardly necessary to prove that by no appropriate treatment could a ground having the natural features of Morningside Park, be made a safe and reputable place of resort at night. At least access to all the precipitous and rocky parts should be rigidly prevented by suitable barriers. --------- The six general considerations which have been thus developed, may be regarded as supplying the specifications to which a plan should conform, and in which provisions for meeting them should be agreeably related and combined. --------- In examining the study of a design here presented it will be necessary to bear in mind the extreme steepness of the ground, as it is impossible to represent on a plan (in which every object 7 is assumed to be looked at directly from above) the nearly perpendicular faces of the rocks that, seen from below, will be such important features of the park. The principal parts of the plan will be easily recognized as follows: Beginning the examination at the point nearest the Central Park, an enlargement of the sidewalk at the angle formed by the junction of the street and avenue will be seen forming a balcony looking into the basin which has been described, and also serving as the upper landing of a double staircase, descending 22 feet, to a paved court below. From wall fountains under the balcony, water flows into a large semi-circular basin. On the other side, the court opens upon a body of water, which by an arrangement of points and islands, is designed to be seen in vistas radiating from its centre, and terminating at interesting points of the high rocks opposite. Aquatic plants break the surface of these little lagoons, and they are overhung by luxuriant and intricate foliage of tropical character, of apparently natural growth from their banks. These will be backed and protected by thickets of large but inconspicuous hardy shrubs. Walks lead out laterally from the entrance court, which are carried on the opposite face of these thickets, but, at certain points, openings occur, from which other vistas are seen of a like character to those which extend from the court. The rare plants, while seen to advantage, will be out of reach, and secure from injury by visitors. Further to the right occurs the break in the outcrop of the ledge which has been described. The suggested esplanade, the larger art of it occupied by a building, will here be seen, forming the most prominent object in the plan. A series of staircases, steps and walks will be noticed leading to the level of its site from two points on the terrace-road above, and from three in the avenue below. Passages are thus formed from the upper to the lower borders8 of the Park, the elevation being overcome by a convenient combination of stairs and sloping walks. Between the two entrances on the upper and the three on the lower side of the Park a distinct district is here designed, which is treated in an urban and gardenesque style. A fountain and flower beds will be observed, and, in connection with the architectural elements of the stairs, terrace and arcade, admirable positions will be found for the display of statues and other works of art, such as private munificence may hereafter offer for the purpose. The whole is so arranged that the walks leading north and south into other parts of the Park can be closed by gates, and this division, being well lighted, may then be left open for free passage at all times during the night, all due precaution being taken for safety both against accidents and violence. The principal walk leading northward from this district will be observed near the middle of the plan, and is designed, as required by the fourth specification, to be formed in an excavation along the foot of the ledge. Although broad and not indirect in course, it is to be deeply shaded and to have a wild, picturesque and secluded character until it reaches the second walk, crossing from east to west, at 120th street. Immediately beyond this point it opens upon the only quiet, sunny lawn on the Park. This is bordered by shrubbery and flowering plants, and a chalet for refreshments is built on the rocks overhanging it on the west. Leading westward from the lawn, the walk ascends, by steps, a rocky defile, the Alpine ground of the fifth specification, beyond which, the entrances to the Park from Tenth avenue are reached. A mall, nowhere less than twenty feet wide, surrounds the Park, and is separated from it by a parapet wall, over which, at intervals, views into the Park can be enjoyed. The mall is planted with a double row of trees, is furnished with seats, and is to be well lighted, that it may be safely used at night when the rugged and more obscure parts of the Park are closed. 9 On the upper side of the Park, at the best points for enjoying the distant prospect to the eastward, balconies are built out, from four of which staircases give access to walks in the Park below. At 120th street, a third crossing is arranged, to be lighted and kept open at night. Fourteen entrances to the Park will be observed, in the arrangement of which there is much variety of character. Between two of these, on the eastern avenue opposite the esplanade, the outer roadway is widened so as to form a bay in which carriages may stand for the accommodation of visitors without interruption of general movement in the highway. ----------------- It will be recognized that the variety of scenery in the several divisions of the Park which have been indicated, is very marked, but that the transition from one to another is nowhere abrupt and sensational. The visitor passes through the exotic luxuriance of the tropical garden; thence through dense masses of foliage he comes upon the terrace district, with its striking architectural and floral decorations; then through the wild, picturesque and sombre walk along the foot of the ledge; then along the bright open lawn, simple in character but highly cultivated; then, mounting the craggy hill-side, with its low growth of brilliant Alpine plants springing from the crevices of the rocks, and by a stairway up the vine-covered wall, he reaches the terrace road mall. By this he may return to the point of starting, enjoying in a further walk of half a mile the broad distant view which is the crowning attraction of the Park. Respectfully, FRED. LAW OLMSTED, L. Architect; For himself and CALVERT VAUX, Late Consulting L. A. 10 The following is an approximate estimate of the cost of construction of Morningside Park, upon the general plan submitted. It has been chiefly prepared by Mr. Bogart from date furnished by recent experience in the Central Park, and of course assumes a style of workmanship similar to that which has there been commonly used. General interior earth and rock work............................ $130,000 Grading and improvements outside of Parapet wall.. 28,000 Walk construction and drainage.................................... 100,000 Steps and entrances (except S. E. angle)....................... 65,000 Planting.............................................................................. 25,000 Buildings, shelters and park furniture........................... 50,000 Exterior walls and foundations....................................... 188,000 S. E. entrance, balcony, fountain and court.................. 125,000 ------------- $711,000 Add for superintendence and contingencies................ 105,150 -------------- $816,150 ------------- Wood-work substituted for stone as the means of inclosure, and for the larger part of the stairways and entrance-ways, would answer all necessary purposes for at least ten years. By this means the cost of the work may be reduced to...................................................... $456,000 Add for superintendence and contingencies.................... 67,000 -------------- $523,000 -------------- 1 [*[1873]*] To proceed further with [the] the construction of Riverside Park under the plan adopted by the Board, it will be necessary to determine [by when work] whether the Department will undertake the construction of Riverside Avenue, or [will] whether that work is to be done [by] under the D. P. W. [Plans are her] Drawings are herewith submitted with a view to [eith] further action on either decision.What little work can be done on Riverside Park at this time without [a determination] complication with work to be done in Riverside Avenue will be completed in a few days; To keep the force employed it is necessary that 2 If the Board decides that the O.P.P. is to [shall proceed to] construct the Avenue, a resolution [approx the plan and ordering fm construction] ducting work to proceed [under the] in accordance with [the plan] these drawings is necessary. If the work of construction of the Avenue is [cone] considered to belong to the Dept of P.W. it is respectfully suggested that the Board should now act under the provision of Sect [II] I [of the] of Chap 850 if the laws [Acts of the legislation] of 1873 [as follows: which is as follows]If the O. of P. P. 3 (insert section I) and transmit to the [DPW] Comm the drawings which are herewith submitted, with the information that they have been adopted by the Board in [pursuance of Sec. I ch. 850] [of the laws of 1873] accordance with [the] said provision [of the said act]. [The section is as follows] The following is the [?]4 2. If this latter course is adopted There must be a certain degree of cooperation between the two Depts with reference to the work to be done at the mutual boundary line But the difficulties of arranging such cooperation would not in my judgment be so great that they should prevent either Dept proceeding with the work Much of the work to be done by the DPW can not proceed with advantage until the DPP shall have advanced the work within its own territory It will not be possible for either Dept to carry on the intended work at the boundary of its own territory without at the same time operating upon and performing to some extent the work that belongs to the other - A certain degree of cooperation will therefore be necessary to make an accurate adjustment of the proportion of cost to be borne by the respective Depts. The amt which might be in question would not in any case be very largeIt will not be possible for either Dept to carry on [the] intended work within its own territory to advantage without operating to some extent upon the territory of the other, and a certain degree of cooperation between the two Dept will be necessary- With suitable management the cost of construction for the [two works] whole work to be done [and] need be no more than it would be if all were done under the direction of one Dept. [and the only difficulty which need arise] but an accurate adjustment of the changes [prop] to be borne by the respective Depts may be somewhat difficult. The amt which might [would] be in question would not in any case be very large. [Res that the Prest is hereby directed to transmit to the Com of P. W. the duplicate original of the drawing this day presented by the L. A. & adopted by the Board and to inform him that the the lines of curb and other surface construction Riverside Ave have been determined by this Dept, as the same shown [in draw as set forth] in said drawing in pursuance of Sec 1 of Ch 850 of the law of 1873.] Res that the prest is hereby directed to transmit to the Coms of P.W. the duplicate original [of the] drawings this day presented by the L.A & adopted by the Board & to inform him that the lines of curb and other surface construction of Riverside Ave have been determined by this Dept, as the same as shown in said drawings, in pursuance of Sec 1 of Ch 850 of Law of 1873Memo & dft Com to Board on Riverside Ave 17 Nov 1873[*read to Board 26 Jany 1874 Riverside Park*] Department of Public Parks Office of Design & Superintendence. New York 26th January. 1874. To the Hon. S. H. Wales, President of the Board; Sir; On the 31st March 1873 a preliminary report on the plan of Riverside Park was made to the Commissioners then in office in which for reasons given it was recommended that legislation should be sought which would allow a new plan for the treatment of the territory assigned to the Avenue to be combined with that for the park. The Commissioners approved the suggestion but, as it involved an encroachment on the field of duty of the Commissioner of Public Works, directed that he should be consulted - After conference with him a bill was prepared designed to accomplish the object in view, which with his consent was laid before the legislature and afterwards became a law. On the 30th October 1873 a verbal report was made to the new board of the Department2 of Public Parks, which had convened to discuss the subject on the site of Riverside Park in which the leading idea of a plan formed in accordance with the intention of the act was presented. [This] The idea being approved the plan has since been advanced in accordance therewith. [in different parts. A plan covering so much of the ground as lies between 72d St and 79h St. was laid before the Board and at the 10th November 1873, adopted. A copy of the plan was transmitted in accordance with the requirements of the Act to the Department of Public Works and work in accordance with it has since been and is now in progress. A plan covering so much of the ground lies between 87th and 120h Streets is now ready.] This plan sets aside a theory of arrangement under which the City originally acquired the ground in question and with regard to which private property adjoining it has been bought and sold and assessed. Such a change of plan would be unjust unless it should conclusively appear that the interests of these property holders as well as of the City at large would be advanced by it and every desirable advantage for a thorough consideration3 of the question should, if possible, be used before it is consummated. For this reason, and also because it has been suggested that there are technical objections to proceedings under the act of last winter [and the Board may therefore possibly be required to proceed under the original law] it has been thought best to prepare two plans for - laying out the ground from 97" to 120" Street, one (plan A) adapted to the conditions originally fixed; the other (plan B.) with the greater freedom which the Act of last winter was intended to secure. The proposed departure from the original intention would be chiefly on the ground between 100" Street and 113" Street and the two plans, with the explanation to be given in this report, will aid those disposed to study the question to understand the advantages and the disadvantages both of the original arrangement and of that later projected. In the original determination of the lines of Riverside Avenue the purpose is understood to have been, first, to supply a public highway which would make the land4 to the eastward of it accessible; second, to keep to the westward of all land the surface of which was well adapted to be used for building and thus to require the City to purchase no land of very great [much] value. To accomplish these purposes the course of the Avenue was made very [sinuous] crooked and [carried almost everywhere] it was generally laid out upon the face of the hill side sloping to the west. A similar purpose of accommodation to the natural surface of the private property to the eastward controlled the grades of the Avenue, the result being that a carriage passing over it would be seven times on an ascending grade and six times on a descending grade and that the grades fixed would often be very steep, as will hereafter be more definitely stated. To grade the Avenue as thus planned it would be necessary to bank out on the hillside and [the cheapest mode of constructing the] to hold the necessary embankment [necessary bank would involve the building] of a retaining wall,[its base resting] would be generally required the base of which would rest on the Park [to the westward except for a short distance where it falls on the East line of 12h Ave.] About two and one tenth miles of such wall would be [required] needed, parts if it 65 feet in height the average height of all being about [*thickness at base*]11 1/4 feet. *The A????? being made in this may [111/4 feet.] The ground for the park would then lie [The ground at the same time assigned to the Park lies] between the base of its supporting wall between this west side of the Avenue] and the foot of the hill; [a space varying its width varies]from less [which is a ?? ]being a strip 3 miles long but sometimes less than fifty and than fifty [feet to four hundred feet, being less than three hundred feet on an average] nowhere more than 400 feet in breadth and everywhere sloping to the west. A study of the topographical conditions of this ground establishes the following conclusions in regard to the manner in which (the Avenue being formed as originally proposed and as has been described) the park would have to [must] be laid out. First. An account of the narrowness of the [ground] site and its hill side character the park could [can] not be made attractive by landscape effects within itself. Second. No views out of the park [will] could be had to the eastward. Third. No attractive or extended views to the westward [can] could be had except from those parts of the park more than 50 feet higher than the foot of the hill. Fourth. The higher visitors [are] should be carried upon the ground the better [will] would be their view to the6 westward, but Fifth - from a walk laid out [as high as possible] along the highest ground the retaining wall of the Avenue would be almost constantly seen close at hand on the east side and would be monotonous and repulsive. Sixth. Between the [elevation of 50 feet prescribed] limits of elevation by the third and the fifth conditions [above and the] [limits to elevation fixed by the last condition] there would not be generally room for two parallel walks. Seventh. A walk laid out on the hill side above the elevation prescribed by the third condition and at a moderate distance below [near] the base of the retaining wall of the Avenue, [wind in the afternoon if not shaded, would be excessively] would need to be carefully shaded from the afternoon sun, which [hot] would otherwise [upon sixth] make it unendurably hot - Eighth. in order to keep the view open the required shade would need to be provided on the west of the walk by trees [planted] standing nearly on the same level with it [and with their] the stems of which were trimmed up to the height of the eye Ninth. to avoid an awkward cramped effect and secure a tolerable degree of symmetry and harmony the trees to be planted immediately7 adjoining the walk on the east would need to be of similar character to those prescribed for the west. [*Section A*] [Tenth] Ninth. as these trees would shut off the view to the westward from Riverside Avenue [and otherwise render it unattractive], the walk within the park would be chosen by all persons walking for recreation and it would be necessary to have passage ways [between the two with] connecting with it by stairs in the retaining wall at frequent intervals. [Eleventh] [Tenth. for the same reason the walk within the park would need to be made spacious enough for the accommodation of all who [are] wish to visit the park.] Twelfth. Wherever the single walk within the park [the walk] commanded fine general views across the river and fairly [takes] received the breeze from over it, it [must be very] [will be more attractive] would, at certain times in summer, [than the tracks of the Central] be singularly attractive and to accommodate [Park under such circumstances visitors will] the number of visitors that would [?] to it, it would need to have a breadth at least half as great as that [often linger on those parts which commanded the best views and a walk which would not accommodate at least half as many persons as] of the combined walks running north and south in the Central Park. [it would be inadequate] [would often be blocked by the crowd] and visitors [tempted to make passages]8 [passages for themselves out of it and commit other disorders.] A walk of about 50 feet in width is thus called for but as this would be [a] hardly practicable [with] in many parts on account of the steepness of the hill side and for other reasons, a walk of not less than 30 feet in width may be considered as [prescribed] an absolute necessity. Adding five feet on each side of it for the attendant rows of trees a nearly level sheet of at least forty feet to be formed on the hill-side, is prescribed. Plan A, herewith exhibited, is designed [in] [accordance with these specifications and no simpler] to meet the several requirements thus shown to be imperative if the original idea should be adhered to, and no simpler or less expensive plan could well be formed, while at the same time by no reasonable expenditure could the ground if laid out under these conditions be made essentially more attractive or valuable to the public. It will now be shown that under this plan its value would be unfortunately limited. It has been already explained that the attraction of the park must be almost wholly in the view across the Hudson River [which would be enjoyed from the walk] and that all views across the River which would otherwise be9 enjoyed from the drive and which because of its greater elevation would otherwise be finer than those from the [walk will] park would be cut off by the trees needed for shading the park walk. It may be thought that the trees might be so adjusted as to leave open occasional vistas from the drive, but the points where such openings would otherwise be made are precisely those at which people on the park walk [will] would most wish to collect and [will] would most demand to be shaded. It will thus be evident that the park [therefore] can not be made attractive without destroying the value for general public use of the avenue; the avenue can not be made attractive without destroying the value for general public use of the park In Plan A [adopts] I have adopted the [first] alternative of sacrificing the avenue because for another reason it could [reason the avenue as originally planned can] not have much value for [the] general public use. This reason will appear as follows: As no roads lead into it from the west, the avenue can attract travel only from the east and it can attract ordinary business travel from the east only because it facilitates movement north or south. But no part of the City is nearly as well provided with north and[*10*] south communications as the district immediately to the eastward of it, there being within a short distance two avenues having a greater average width, better grades, and which are a more direct courses than the proposed Riverside Avenue. It may be assumed therefore that no vehicle will ever be driven upon Riverside Avenue except in coming or going to some building upon it unless it is in pleasure driving. That Riverside Avenue as originally laid out can not be [? to be] a popular pleasure drive is evident for the following reasons: The most attractive pleasure drives are those in which a steady and moderately rapid motion can be maintained without special skill or urgency of the driver. The exertion required of a horse to move a given load at the same rate of speed on a road with a grade of 1 in 25 is twice as great as on a level road. Wherever the grade of a road exceeds 1 in 25, horses accustomed to New York streets, if ascending are inclined to lag and if the grade is maintained for a distance of fifty yards the majority, unless urged, fall to a walk. Careful drivers also[*11*] check their horses in going down grades exceeding 1 in 25. If a stretch of pleasure road with a grade steeper than 1 in 25 lies between two stretches with grades not steeper than 1 in 33 the average speed of carriages on the first is not more than half as great as on the other two and double as many carriages to a given space will be crowded on the steeper ground as on the other. [For these reasons the French and Swiss governments, all soon are the [?] [?] roads in grades steeper than 1 in 33.] For short distances in driving light carriages this rate of 1 in 33 may be slightly exceeded but a grade at all steeper than 1 in 27 seriously detracts from the attractions of a pleasure drive. Now there are nine different stretches on Riverside Avenue as originally laid out where the grade is steeper than 1 in 20 and four where it is steeper than 1 in 16. It is obvious then that any expectations of its being used as a place of general public promenade are certain to be disappointed if the original design is adhered to. [In a recent message of the late Mayor to][*12*] [the Common Council it [is] was assumed that the cost of constructing Riverside and Morningside Avenues on the original plan would be nearly $2,000,000. If this is a fair estimate the cost of Riverside Avenue would be about a million and a half. A much smaller sum than this would be an excessive price to pay for a highway of such limited use as could be expected of Riverside Avenue under the original plan.] [*B*] In the plan B to which attention is now invited a public drive is laid out in such a way as to avoid a few of the summits over which the avenue in the original plan is carried, being [[?]] [carried] taken just far enough down the slope of the hill at these points to [avoid] save the necessity of any grades exceeding 1 in 28. [On the near] These grades [thus gained] on the road as thus planned a horse will draw fully double the weight at the same rate of speed and with no more fatigue as he could on the grades of the [as originally] established.] Avenue as originally established. To accomplish this [For this purpose] the course of the road is deflected where necessary into the territory assigned to the park and to accommo-[*13*] date travel to the doors of houses expected to be built facing toward the park a side road and walk 30 feet in width is proposed to be maintained on the lines and at the grades originally fixed for the Avenue The intermediate space between this side road and the main drive is to be a turfed slope planted with trees and shrubbery. The space occupied by this slope would average 36 feet in width. [*sec.*] The walking space laid out still lower on the slope of the hill in plan A, is in plan B elevated and added to the sidewalk of the main drive. The trees which shade it also shade the drive without in the least obscuring the view from the drive. The view from both walk and drive over the Hudson would be much finer under this arrangement than under that of plan A, the walk being more elevated and the view from the drive being unobstructed. Buildings of a certain height which are liable to be constructed on the private property between the park and the river would cut off the view across it entirely from the walk of plan A. when they would not do so from that of plan B.[*14*] South of 104th Street the surface of the ground has not sufficient elevation above the grade of 12th Avenue except for [a] short distances at two points, to allow the drive to be laid out either under the old or the proposed arrangement so that the view from it will not be liable to be obstructed by tall buildings west of the park, but to the northward of 104th Street the grade of the drive and walk being adjusted to the most economical line for construction, the eyes of those using them would have an average elevation of 112 feet above the water of the Hudson and 102 feet above the grade established for 12th Avenue. The view from this district is in any case more expanded and finer It is assumed, therefore, that it will be most attractive and that larger public accommodations will be required within it. Instead of a drive of 50 feet in width which has been adopted by the Board south of 79th Street, a double way formed of two 35 feet drives is here proposed, an intermediate space being allowed so that four rows of trees planted in quincunx can be used for shading the drive and walks15 without intercepting the view, except by their stems, from any part of it. The arrangement is illustrated on a larger scale by the plan marked C.[*16*] A rider on Plan B shows another improvement which is deemed very desirable to be provided for in the plan of Riverside Park The Park throughout its length of three miles follows closely the bank of the Hudson from which it is now separated only by the road bed of the Hudson River Railway. It would be a most aggravating circumstance if in all this distance there should be no point at which visitors to the park could reach the river except upon wharves appropriated to ordinary shipping. A public landing place in the upper part of the city is a recognized want and the formation of this park will greatly increase this want It is recommended that it should be provided for by connecting the outer ends of the piers opposite 96th Street and 97th Street in the manner shown in the plan forming a basin and landing stage between them for small boats and a quay at which river steamboats could call. This suggestion has been submitted to [President] Commissioner Blunt of the Board of Pilots and receives his sanction and warm approval. The plan of the park is so designed at17 this point as to accommodate a large number of persons on foot and in carriages giving them an opportunity of looking out upon the river and watching the arrival and departure of boats-- In the future the City's guests would here be received and welcomed -- Carriages can pass by ways of easy grade from the park drive to and around the basin, the quay forming a waterside promenade. Respectfully, Fred Law Olmsted Landscape Arch.Riverside 26 Jan 1874 Read in Board See Doc. No. 60 Jan 20 '75 a comparison of Plans A & B. Contains a good exposition of the effects of grade on pleasure driving.WmBWoodin Ch Comm on Cities To Mr Woodin Chrm &c Sir; as the discussion going out of the proposed legislation in regard to the construction of the Avenues adjoining parks in this city has become complicated and [either] statements are made in the public prints and otherwise [which] [are not only erroneous] [indicate a misunderstanding] [of the essential issues] which are not only erroneous as to matters of fact but which indicate a misunderstanding of the [propositions] position of the Dept of Parks I think it proper to submit to you the following brief review of the present [issues in which I propose to make no assertion] issues, making no statements [that would not I] [presume be asserted to by] [the Commissioner of Works.] to which I presume the Commissioner of Pubic Works would not assert.(To Mr. Woodin. Chrm S. Com. on Cit) [ Statements of the views of the Department of Parks in regard to several matters connected with the proposed legislation re impact to the construction of the Avenues bordering the parks have been made in the public prints and otherwise which are erroneous [incorrect] and which it may be desirable should be corrected.] It was made apparent to the Department of Parks a year ago that there are serious objections to the original plan of the Riverside Avenue. In the words of their landscape architect, [Mr Olmsted], in reporting on the subject; under the plan "the Avenue could not be made attractive without destroying the value for general public use of [the] Riverside Park; the Park could not be made attractive without destroying the value for general public use of the Avenue". Under the law as it then stood, the construction of [Avenue] Avenues adjoining the parks was supervised by the Department of Public Works. with the concurrence[as the law then stood the construction of] [Riverside Avenue lay with the Dept of Parks] [with the consent] of the department of Parks a bill was introduced in the legislature designed to admit of a modification of the plan of the Avenue. The bill afterwards became a law (Chap 850. of 1873) but between the period of its introduction and its passage, the charter had passed by which the [previous] law under which the Dept of Parks had the construction of River Side Avenue was abrogated, and such a degree of uncertainty in this respect established that neither department has engaged in any rule of construction on the Avenues adjoining the parks during the year. The bill now before the legislature [has] is intended to settle this question. While the question of the construction of the Avenues has been in suspense, [a plan for the ] [a re] a plan for laying out [the Pa] the territory of the Path and Avenue has been prepared [and] approved and adopted by the Department of Parks. The suggestion being made that, [the cuis] if the plans were carried [ou] out, the chance [of] was to be increased that promptly [??ers] in the line of the Avenue would obtain a vacation of their assessments [for construction, a provision to guard] [by which] [against] [this danger[has] was to be proposed which] [in the judgment of sound [lawl] lawyers would] [be effective] [During the year] the draft of a provision which would effectively guard against the danger has been prepared and laid before [the] your [Senate] Committee [pm Cities] and this provision may be considered [a piece of the plan] an element in the plan of the Department of Parks. There are[now] [therefore] then, the main questions which demand the consideration of the legislature. 1st [It] Is it desirable that substantially the plan adopted by the Department of Parks for [Ri] laying out the combined territory of Riverside Park and Avenue should be substituted for the original plan of Riverside Avenue in so far as the ground originally [occupied by] assigned to Riverside Avenue is concerned? 2d Should all the work that is to be done on the combined territory be under the supervision of the Department of Parks or should [some div] a division be made by which a part will be with one dept? & a part with the other? [guarded against such objection] [by recommending the adoption of a provision] [which in the judgement of its legal] [advisors, would [secure] place the rights] [of the city in this respect beyond] danger, in case those plans were] [carried out, and this whether] [wholly [b] or only in part by] [itself.] The [before] position of the Department of Parks [therefore] has been: 1st What the legislature should [in any case] see to it that, by whose [service?] the work of construction is to be supervised, the original plan of Riverside Avenue should be abandoned. [abandoned and substantially] [the plan [proposed] which has] [been prepared [by] under its direction] [be carried out --] 2d. That the rights of the City in respect to assessments should be adequately guarded. [3d. The two previous points] [being settled, that the construction] [of the whole work can] [be carried to run currently] [and efficiently under one [body] ] [department than under]3d. That, while it is possible for a division of the work to be made between the two departments, [it] the whole can be carried on [run?] currently and efficiently under the supervision of one, [& that one the Depart of Parks.] 4th That between the two departments, the whole work falls more properly to the Department of Parks than to the Department of Works. Neither the head of the department nor any member of it, nor any one authorized to speak for it has at any time made any statements or propositions or admissions or concessions at variance with these [three] four positions. [It only remains to be observed] [that] Against the first two of these [pos] positions, no argument has been offered. The property holders who [have [??ed] the [urged] ] [that the] have urged That a part of the work should be under the supervision of the Department of Works concede the great advantage which would result to the city from the proposed change of plan.assuming that the legislature adopts the same conclusion, the question remains: Shall d division of the work be made? If this is decided in the affirmation the problem has then to be [natu] solved: [How can [such] the division] [be made in such a way that] [the jurisdiction of such department] [shall be so well defined] [that each can be held to its own] [responsibility] To make such a division between the two departments that the responsibility of such shall be well defined and no clashing of duties or rights occur. [Whatever the legislative shall] [decide in regard to avenues [elsewhere] ] [adjoining the other parks [the] ] [ [department] which the Department of] [Parks should be under its] [control, ]It is held to be desirable, for reasons set forth in a memorial [addressed] [a few days since to your Committee] a few days since put in your hands, that the avenues adjoining all the Parks should be under the same control with the Parks [but whatever the decision of the] [legislature should be in regard to] [other points, it is submitted that,] [in respect to the Riverside matter,] [it is much the simplest and best mix] [to put it all together under the supervision] [of the Department of Parks.] Respectfully Yours SH Wales President of Dept of Parks Dft letter to Wm B. Woodin Chr Com City Senate on Riverside 21 Feb 1874N.Y. Jany 9 - 1875 to the Hon. H. G S, Prst &c [To the Board --] I respectfully report in accordance with [a resolution] instructions of the Board [it passed] codified at its last meeting, in regard to the plans & work of Riverside & Morningside Parks. In respect to Riverside Park the unanimous conviction of the Commission as expressed [the policy of the Depart as established three] in several reservations adopted at intervals & under [different?] [organizations?] [consistently in the rule] from Nov 10 1873 to Feb. 17 1874, [has been [to] ] has uniformly been that the original [plan of Riverside Avenue] division between [Riv] the Park & the Avenue [was a bad] [was undesirable] was an objectionable one and that in the plans for construction [of the Park and the Avenue] in should be grand [and] [the] this conviction has been acted upon, [and] plans adopted and constructions proceeded with with a perfectly clear understanding by the Board of the [many] serious difficulties involved, first in [respect to [defining] ] [joining the work of the Department] [of Works with that of] [the Dept. of Parks, second in] [respect to the collection of assessments, ] [the laws in]in the fact that the Department of Parks had been given the duty of constructing an avenue distinct from the park, and also and more particularly, in the fact that assessments for benefit were required [the] by law to be made for the purpose of defraying the cost of the construction of an avenue and not [for the] of a park. Several plans for overcoming these difficulties[assessments?] for benefits, the law in respect to both the have been entertained and projects of laws prepared in accordance with them, [one only if which has] passed, viz] South of 84th Street, the difficulty is comparatively simple because in this division there is not occasion to introduce within the space originally given to the avenue anything of a public like character, and because it is possible, though difficult, to keep [the] [a] a distinct account of the cost of the work within the avenue lives as originally defined, as a basis for assessments. By arrangement with the Commissioner of Public Parks constituted in Nov. 1873, a plan for the improvement of the territory South of 79th St was drafted, and considerable progress has been made in carrying out [work has been done in pursuance of] this plan [by] under both departments; [the] about half the bulk of the work [required to be done under] [by the plan] [the division of] originally intended to be done under the direction of this Dept. having been [done] accomplished at an outlay of something over $50,000. [This division of Riverside Park] [72d to 79th St.] Work [may] might now proceed on this division of the park without further legislation. If the right of the Department to proceed with work on what was originally the avenue, which has been contested by theDept of Works , is assumed, work may also proceed in all of the territory South of [81] [2] 83d Street -- For the remainder of the territory of Riverside Park the Board has first drafted a theory of a plan by which the minimal division of the Park and avenue is discarded, and laws also definitively adopted and reported to the legislature a plan of a continuous roadway from 83d [76] to [122d] 129th St. under provision of Sec 2 of Chap. 850, Laws of 1873 it would with the concurrence of the Commission of Public Works be possible to proceed legally [with the construction of the] [Park] to carry out this plan but [forbid] it may not be [thought] expedient to do so without further legislation because of the difficulty of collecting assessments which might occur under the present laws. In respect to Morningside Park, a plan has been adopted and about $130,000 expended in carrying it out -- The work has been distributed over all parts of the ground and applied to the grading in substructure of all the larger features except the proposed glass house. It can be resumed [at short notice][and within] and a force of 300 men [employed at short notice whenever ordered] [the Board shall so order] employed within ten days after the passage of an order for the purpose by the Board. It would be desirable however [to] that the sewer now partly built and intended as a main drain for the whole park should be completed before much else is set about. Plans and diagrams [of] [it] relating to Riverside Park arepresented which I am prepared to explain verbally -- Respctly -- Report on River & Morningside 9 Jany 1874 DPP &c 15 Jany 1875 To the Hon. H.G.S. Prst &c. Sir; I have the honor to present [herewith] a map of the River [side property of the city] side territory belonging to the city with the main outlines of a plan for its improvement. What I have designated as the Riverside territory consists of two divisions, first, To the Hon. H.G.S. Prst &c-- Sir; I have the honor herewith to present a map of [that] a part of the city including the Riverside territory with [ What will be here designated as] [the Riverside territory [was acquired] consists of ] [by the city in two divisions, first] a strip uniformly 100 feet wide along its eastern side, [de] named Riverside Avenue, and intended to be treated as other avenues of the city; second a body of land of variable [width] breadth [occupying] [the remainder of the territory] [and] named Riverside Park. [Nearly all of the territory consists] [of ground slopes]Who have successfully [have] been appointed upon [it, each] it have each visited the ground and reviewed Nearly all of the ground on both of these parts of the territory slopes with a rapid inclination [decline] to the West so much so that [to construct] the proposed avenue would require to be supported in the low side by a strong retaining wall [generally from 10 to] seldom less than ten, often more than twenty feet in height. The Avenue as laid out [is crooked] has a very crooked course as is shown by the following line representing a part of it, [The Avenue] equal in length to that part of Broadway South & Canal Street [Its variations of grade are equally frequent, so that there being for thirteen changes from frequent there being Thirteen] Its variations of grade are also frequent, a change between [rise and fall] ascent and descent occurring thirteen times as [represented by the following line]has a very crooked course as is shown by the following line representing [the part of it] a distance of a mile and a half [as] represented by the following line [2000 ft vert, 1000] (200 ft vert, 4000 hor. to 1 in) Many of the grades are severe, there being nine sharter than one in twenty and on which hotting [will] would be impracticable. [For these reasons the Avenue could not reasonably be expected to] [These peculiarities of the Ave] On each side of Riverside [this] Avenue there [would be] are to be [two other avenues, at an] is to be at an average distance of less than one hundred yards, another avenue, straight in course, [and] of better grades and equally wide [or wider] [It is Kiniside Avenue. No travel would therefore [ever] come into Kiniside Avenue except] [These would provide much better The purpose of Riverside Avenue is not therefore to provide for ] These would amply provide and much better than Riverside Avenue for through or heavy travel [but] and the breadth of 100 feet in Riverside Avenue [is only] is therefore only required on the presumption that [it will be much [?] for [?]]for the same purpose as the park, recreation -- its pond may This advantage is least and will eventually be wholly [lost in all but its higher points, cut off] lost on its lower or westerly side and is greatest and will alone be of permanent value to the city on its higher points, that is to say 1st that part [of it] which has been assigned to the Avenue, and 2nd that part [of it] assigned to the park which, [lies will be close under the supporting]if the Avenue should be built, would lie close under its supporting wall. (a in the diagram) [This part of the park, inclined as it would be to the West and with a high wall of masonry on the East to would be insupportably hot on a summer afternoon.] This part of the par, inclined as it would be to the West, with a wall of masonry on the East, would, when it might otherwise be most useful, be found insupportably hot, unless planted with large trees. Trees upon it would however completely intercept the view over it [and thus] from the Avenue. There being no view from it over the river, the Avenue with its steep grades and frequent undulations, [its there being no view from it over the river] would then be the least attractive of all the Avenues of the city for pleasure driving.to avoid at that time of the day when the park would otherwise be most useful. [To avoid] an insupportable heat in the part of the park, inclined, as it would be to the West and with a wall of fasonry on the East It has been shown that if the original plan of the Avenue was to be carried out [it would be impossible for the city to] the territory would [have] now be of much value to the city for the purposes [for] which are supposed [?] [it would be was supposed to have land acquired] its acquisition. For this reason the Department [it was recommended] was advised in 1873 thatThe construction of the Avenue as originally outlined the imaginary [division] line by which the site for the Avenue was divided from the side for the park should be disregarded and a plan [?] prepared with a view to utilize, in the greatest degree practicable the advantages offered by the territory as a whole or [all] the several purposes, first, if a means of access to the property on its East side; [on the East of the territory;] Second, of a pleasure drivecommanding a fine view over the river, airy and shaded; Third of a foot promenade, commanding the same view and also airy and shaded. This proposition, after full consideration, received the unanimous approval of the Park Commissioners; it has since, also after cautious consideration, received that of all their successors, of the Commissioner of Public Works, of all citizens interested who have accepted the invitation, the Commissioners to examine either matter; if the Legislature of 1873, which passed a bill based upon it; and of the Senate committee on Cities of 1874, who recommended a [bill] bill intended to provide for it, which failed of passage solely because of [which was defeated] a question which arose under it as to the division of duties between the Department of Parks & of Public Works. [The outline of a plan last year adopted by the Department of Prks for ]The plan of which in outline is given in the accompanying map is prepared in accordance with the proposition which has been stated, that is to say, it is [a plan for the combination of the Avenue with the Park -- Comparing this with a separate plan, accepting this separation, and in which it should be intended to approach as nearly as possible to advantages which the combination plan would present offer, the latter would be found to offer] [advantages partly and moderately stated as follows:] a plan for combination of the Avenue with the Park. Comparing such a plan with one for a separate improvement of the two parts of the territory [improving them separately], as originally intended, the general aim being as nearly as possible the same in both case, the advantages which would be had under the combination plan may be partly and moderately stated as follows: The plan proposed, [of which an outline is given presented herewith, would] as compared with a plan [providing for a park] in which the Avenue should be retained as originally intended, with a park [laid out to the best advantage below it, below designed to take advantage of the territory as nearly as possible equally available to five visitors, would offer advantages, partly indicated as follows] advantages of combining the Avenue with the Park. 1st It would be less costly; 2nd The carriage way would at all the main important points command the view over the river, [and any where] and would generally command better views; [and no where] 3rd It would be better shaded; 4th It would be breezier and cooler; 5th It would conveniently accommodate a much larger number of carriages;6th It would provide better [?] See appended note [?] 27 1/2 On the original plan there are 8 places [several which [?] the whole extent of [?] with a grade sharper than 1 in 20) would be aboe 2000 feet. In the descent to 12th Avenue the new plan offers a road with a grade of 1 in 20. The old plan only had in the old plan is steeper than 1 in 10.]The accommodations for people on foot would also be better [in the following respects:] 1st In being Ampler 2d In Having better views, 3d In being better shaded 4th In having better grades 5th In being more cheaply and efficiently policed.In short the cost of the property under the new plan will be less than under the old [and] while its value to the city will be immeasurably greater. Respectfully FLO LARiverside 15 Jany 1875 Note as to grades. On the Central Park it is found that the majority of horses are walked wherever the grade of the drives is steeper than 1 in 26. On the new Riverside plan [that] from 72d to 127th. Streets (3 miles) there is no grade steeper than 1 in 28. [On the old plan there is a third of the mile one third of a mil A ninth] More than an eighth part of that distance on the old plan of the Avenue is on grades steeper than 1 in 20.On the descent from 127th Street to 12th Avenue the new plan offers a road with a grade of 1 in 20, [the old plan] the only road in the old is steeper than 1 in 10. By the following diagrams the difference of grade between the points indicated will be evident. [The dotted line showing the improved grade of the new plan.] The full line showing the old, the dotted line, the new grades.Riverside 15 Jany 1875[*Rept to [?] Com*] [*WIthdrawn*] Department of Public Parks Office of Design & Superintendence New York 27th January 1875. To the Hon. Henry G. Stebbins, President of the Board, Sir; As the Board is now engaged with the question of Riverside Park and Avenue, I call your attention to the fact that there is a portion of Riverside Avenue which does not come within a distance of 350 feet of the Park and that in the plans heretofore considered by the Board the assumption has been that all of these [points] parts of the Avenue lying between the two divisions of the park and extending from 85th to 88th Streets would remain under the Department of Public Works. The Department of Public Works has adopted a plan for dealing with this part of the Avenue, to which the plans adopted by the Department of Public Parks have been accomodated and of which through the favor of the designer, Mr Leopold Eidlitz, I am permitted herewith to present drawings which I would commend to the favorable consideration of the Board. It is clearly desirable that the whole of the construction required for the Avenue between 85th & 88th streets should be exclusively under the management of one department. x Respectfully [Fred Law Olmsted Land. Archt]To the Hon. HERS 16 March 1875 Sir; I present a drawing showing a modification of the plan heretofore presented for that part of Riverside [Park] Avenue lying between 104th St & 120th. The object of the modification being the introduction of a Riding Way in connection with the Promenade drive & walk. To make room for it theretaining wall is set 20 feet further west than in the first plan and the [double carriage drive ways narrowed] double carriage-way narrowed from 75 to 65 feet in breadth. The whole [still] construction still [lies? of] lies 15 feet within the limits of the Avenue as established by the joint action of the Department in connection with the Department of Public works The arrangement which I now submit [was] is in accordance with the views which I first presented to the Board in 1873. I have omitted the feature of [?] Ride in drawings heretofore submitted [mitted in order that the main proposition is its simplest.] in order to a simpler presentation of the main proposition and [to avoid] from apprehension [that the] that the Cost of the work would [be] be enlarged by the introduction of the [Bridle Road] Ride more than [its] the value which I could claim it. Having now planned it with more care and exactness I find that it will add not more than 5 percent of cost to the whole and that [this] with this modification the estimate for the whole work to be done by contract will remain within 2,000,000.I recommend the Board to adopt [this] the modification plan at this time, as, if the work is to proceed this coming summer, it is desirable to immediately set about the preparation of the working [plans] drawings and specificationsRiverside Modification Ride &c 16 Mch 1875 24th July 1875 - [?] Hon. H. G. Stebbins; President; Sir: Under instructions of the Board of the 21st inst. I beg to say that at the suspension of work [ordered] [by the Board on the 24th October] in October 1874 construction was in progress on nearly all parts [of the ground] of Morningside Park, including the construction of a sewerthe building of a sewer, the excavation of [a] [la] the pond, the grading and substructure of walks [at various points] and the forming of embankments at various points. The first work to be done [is] should be the completion of the sewer, in order that the excavation of the low grounds may when started proceed without interruption by standing water; work may however, be [started] prosecuted at all points where it was in progress at the suspension and a force of 200 men could be employed with advantage. Having in view the proper distribution of the fund available for all construction purposes however, I have anticipated the employment on Morningside Park of not more than [about] 100 men & carts [from 50 to 100 men,] and an expenditure the present sum of [$40,000-] at the most $40,000.With regard to Riverside Park I have not anticipated, nor do I see that it is desirable, that [?] work should be undertaken, except that proposed on the our park, before the construction of the avenue is begun. It is not probable that this construction will, under the most favorable circumstances, proceed so far as to give occasion for work [?] to push construction during the present year. 1 -Morningside & Riverside 24 July 1875